When Adrian Steele appeared, Veronica Vale Steele froze in shock, her eyes wide with disbelief.
But Helen Crowe was the first to react. Her lips curled into a sneer.
“Well, well, look who’s back—our very own convicted r****t out of prison! Let go of me, or you’ll regret it!”
Adrian didn’t release his grip. His voice was cold as steel.
“Apologize to my mother.”
“Apologize?” Helen spat with venom. “Ha! You think you and your filthy family deserve that? You’re all trash!”
Smack!
Without hesitation, Adrian slapped her hard across the face.
“You dare hit me?” Helen screeched, stunned. Then she screamed toward the house, “Tom! Your wife just got assaulted—get out here!”
A moment later, a rat-faced middle-aged man stumbled out, clearly drunk. Tom Crowe.
Behind him came two burly men, th
